Anonymous Flensburg cat painter receives the 2025 Culture Prize!

Anonymous Flensburg cat painter receives the 2025 Culture Prize!

The city of Flensburg presented a very special award on October 17, 2025: The Culture Prize 2025 goes to the anonymous artist N.M., who is known as the “Flensburg cat painter”. With charming cat motifs, she not only beautified Norderstrasse, but also captured the hearts of Flensburg residents and tourists.

The prize, which is worth 3,000 euros, was presented during a celebratory ceremony in the Phenomenta. Another highlight was the entry in the city's Golden Book, the N.M. crowned with an irresistible drawing of a house cat. The jury, which also included cultural policy speakers from the council factions as well as experts from the city administration, decided on May 19, 2025 after extensive deliberations, N.M. to choose from a total of 21 suggestions. The effectiveness of their art in public spaces, which enables low-threshold access to culture, was particularly emphasized, as in an article by Flensburg City described.

Art in public spaces

Street art, which includes the works of the Flensburg cat painter, has become increasingly important in recent years. It creates a direct connection to people and promotes public discourse. Like the website Art101 explains, street art combines art, protest and social dialogue. Originally emerging from the graffiti culture of the 1960s in New York, it has evolved into a medium that reflects the reality of our society.

In Flensburg the work of N.M. an excellent example of how art works in urban spaces. Her works, such as the Merchant's Cat and the Cat in the Friesian Mink, not only tell stories, but also reflect the local culture and humor of the city. Her cat motifs are creative and playful greetings that create a connection between passers-by and the public space.

Support and commitment

In addition, N.M. recognized as part of two city-funded projects: in 2024 as part of “Your City Center – Your Ideas” and in 2025 in the Nord-Syd Outdoor Gallery. The jury praised the positive impact of their works on the cityscape and their outstanding contribution to art in public spaces. What is particularly noteworthy is that the artist's identity remains anonymous, which further increases the appeal of her works.

The awarding of the 2025 Culture Prize not only recognizes N.M.'s impressive artistic commitment, but also underlines the relevance of street art as part of Flensburg's cultural landscape. In a time when art should be accessible to everyone, N.M. Signs that encourage you to dream and think and bring Flensburg a little more to life.